Deciding your funeral arrangements while you're healthy removes emotional pressure from your family and prevents costly last-minute decisions. Preplanning lets you lock in today's prices, choose exactly what you want, and leave clear instructions that everyone can follow. Here's what you need to tackle now.
Choose Your Final Disposition
The biggest decision is what happens to your body. You have three main paths: traditional burial (typically $7,000–$12,000 total with casket, vault, and plot), cremation ($1,500–$4,000), or direct burial/cremation ($1,000–$2,500 without a service). Each affects all downstream costs. If you choose burial, decide whether you own a plot already or need to purchase one ($500–$2,500 per plot in most regions). For cremation, specify whether you want the cremated remains scattered, buried in an urn, kept at home, or divided among family members.
Select a Funeral Home and Lock in Pricing
Shop around—prices vary wildly between providers even within the same city. Get written General Price Lists (GPLs) from at least three funeral homes; federal law requires them to provide these for free. Compare charges for basic services ($2,000–$3,500), embalming ($400–$800), viewing/visitation ($300–$500 per hour), and memorial services. Many funeral homes offer preplanning discounts of 10–20% if you pay in advance. Don't commit to a specific funeral home until you've compared options; you can use Mercoly to review and compare trusted funeral preplanning providers in your area, then reach out directly for detailed pricing.
Decide on Ceremony Details
Will there be a viewing, funeral service, memorial service, or some combination? Traditional services with viewing, funeral, and graveside ceremony run $4,000–$8,000 extra; a simple memorial service costs $1,000–$2,000. Choose a location—church, funeral home chapel, or elsewhere—and note any specific religious or cultural requirements. Specify if you want music, flowers, a eulogy structure, or readings. Write down your preferences in detail so family members don't have to guess.
Plan Your Casket or Urn Selection
If you're choosing burial or viewing, caskets range from $800 (wood veneer) to $8,000+ (solid mahogany or copper). Online retailers often undercut funeral homes by 30–50%, though shipping adds $200–$500. Preplan by researching what you want, but don't necessarily buy early unless you're getting a substantial discount. For cremation, urns range from $200 (basic ceramic) to $2,000+ (artistic or eco-friendly options). Some families choose to skip a formal urn and use a simple cardboard or biodegradable container.
Document Your Wishes in Writing
Create a funeral preplanning worksheet or document that covers:
- Your full legal name, Social Security number, and date of birth
- Disposition choice (burial, cremation, or donation)
- Casket/urn preference
- Type of service desired
- Guest list guidance (immediate family only, large gathering, etc.)
- Favorite songs, poems, or scriptures
- Charitable donations instead of flowers (if applicable)
- Names and contact info for your executor or decision-maker
- Location of insurance policies or prepaid plans
Store this document with your will, healthcare proxy, and power of attorney. Tell your family where to find it.
Consider Prepaid Plans vs. At-Need Arrangements
Prepaid plans lock in today's prices and ease family burden; you'll pay $3,000–$7,000 upfront depending on services chosen. At-need arrangements (decided after death) let families choose exactly what they want without advance cost, but prices will be higher and decisions happen during grief. A middle path: prearrange your preferences and get quotes now, then let your family decide whether to prepay specific items or handle costs after death.
Review Insurance and Funding
Check if your life insurance policy or employer benefits cover funeral costs (many cover $5,000–$10,000). If not, consider a small burial insurance or whole-life policy. Some families set aside funds in a dedicated savings account or trust specifically for funeral expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I change my funeral preplanning decisions after I've made them? Yes—most arrangements can be modified anytime before your death, though some prepaid contracts include cancellation fees. Always review your contract terms.
Q: What's the difference between a preplanned funeral and a prepaid funeral? Preplanning is deciding and documenting your preferences; prepaying means you've paid the funeral home in advance to guarantee those services at today's prices. You can preplanned without prepaying.
Q: How long does it take to prearrange a funeral? Most arrangements can be completed in one to two visits to the funeral home (1–3 hours total), though comparison shopping across providers takes longer.
Start by calling three funeral homes in your area and requesting their General Price Lists today.